Slovak Speaker of Parliament thanks Russian President

The Parliamentary Chairman Andrej Danko (Slovak National Party/SNS) met top Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow on Thursday. Danko also talked to Russian Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev, Chair of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko and Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov during his visit to Russia.
"I thanked President Putin, on behalf of the Slovak Republic and Slovak citizens, for the liberation of Slovakia by the parents and grandparents of today's Russians. I also thanked him for doing his utmost to find a dialogue to resolve any problems," said Danko, who was the only parliamentary chairman from au EU country to take part in the military parade held on Red Square. He noted that not only top political officials, but also representatives of the economic sector, for example Gazprom, noticed Slovakia's representation at the event. "I believe we'll utilise it during the business mission scheduled for June, as well," added Parliamentary Chairman. The visit by the Parliamentary Chairman to Russia has been criticised by the Slovak opposition and NGOs. According to Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak, this visit by the Slovak Parliamentary Speaker to Moscow did not violate any directive or the political position of the EU.